Josvainiai (formerly Polish: Jaswojnie, Russian: Ясвойни, Ясвойне) is a small town in Kėdainiai district, central Lithuania. It is located on the Šušvė River 10 km southwest from Kėdainiai. The town comprises the Catholic All Saints Church, a gymnasium, a post office, a public library, a stud farm, and a culture house.[1]
History
The toponym Josvainiai probably derives from the unattested Lithuanian personal name *Josvainis.
Historians believe that there was a medieval castle in Josvainiai, attacked many times by the Teutonic Knights. In 1486 Josvainiai was mentioned as a town. During the 16th century the royal manor of Josvainiai and the first wooden church were mentioned. During the wars of the 16th–17th centuries Josvainiai castle was devastated by Swedes.[1][2]
The town was granted city rights and a coat of arms on March 29, 1792.[1] On July 19, 2006, the town was granted a renewed coat of arms by a presidential decree.
During the Soviet era Josvainiai was a center of a selsovet and kolkhoz.[2]
Jewish community
Jews first settled in Josvainiai in the 17th century. By 1897, 534 Jews lived in the town, constituting 40% of the total population.[3] There was a synagogue and a Jewish school. Most Jews were expelled during World War I. In their absence, a large portion of the town burned down. After the War, some returned. Before The Holocaust, the Jewish population was 270 and included about 70 families.[4] They lived around the marketplace and on nearby streets. During World War II, 282 Jews were murdered in a mass execution: 86 men, 110 women, and 86 children.[5][6]
